Saint Michael the Archangel

Team BIGDoer lives to explore and this fine day we’re with friends roaming the backroads northeast of Edmonton. It’s an area known for many “onion dome” churches and these connect back to early settlers who were of varying Eastern-Orthodox faiths. On the road ahead our subject comes into view, Saint Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church and we’re going stop in to give you a little tour.

The Parish dates back roughly one hundred twenty years and the church seen is the second one here. Limestone Lake Cemetery is part of the property and graves there go back to the early 1900s. Services are still held from time to time and burials take place, but usually silence rules. It’s a special little oasis on the prairies and so peaceful.

Starting in the late 1890s this area saw influx of settlers from eastern Europe (Ukraine especially) and soon after arriving, local Parishes were established. St Micheal’s dates to 1898 or 1904 (depending on the source) and land acquired for their use in 1904. A church wasn’t constructed until 1909 and in the interim services were held in private homes. Meanwhile, there were burials on the property.

A fire later destroyed the original church and soon after (in 1939) a new one constructed. The building faces west, as is typical in Eastern-Orthodox faiths and is explained thusly: “This symbolizes the entrance of the worshipper from the darkness of sin (the West) into the light of Truth (the East)” – The Catalogue of Good Deeds, Catalog.Obitel-Minsk.com.

There is always a specific number of domes on Eastern-Orthodox churches and three is one of the more common arrangements out this way. Churches with one or five are seen too, but rarely is it more (again, out this way). In the old county you might see, seven, eleven or even thirteen, sometimes even more and each number has a significance.

Three symbolized the Trinity, so Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The building is laid out in the Crucifix form, so in the shape of the cross when viewed from above. The domes gleam in metal and the building is clad in rather plain stucco.

Eastern-Orthodox churches will have a companion bell tower, external from the church itself and it might be housed in a separate building or within an open metal framework as is seen here. There’s just no room in the church itself, due to the domes, so this how it’s done.

In more recent times, services at the church have not been regular but it is opened up for special events and funerals. In years passed, it had an active congregation, but the old people have died off and younger folks have moved away, so there’s no regular members anymore. That we could find. The grounds and building are still kept up, however.

The church is officially known as St Michael the Archangel Parish at Limestone Lake (formerly Wostok) and named after the leader of all Angels and the army of God. St. Michael is said to escort the faithful to heaven at their time of death and is first to battle Satan. There’s several places in the immediate area, and churches, using the St Michael name.

The building displays a bit of a weathered exterior and could use a little TLC here and there. For the most part it’s in decent condition, however, and the interior quite beautiful.

Standing under the dome is something special and humbling. The work that went into it, and make no mistake they constructed it by hand, and the love, is nothing short of inspiring. We’ve visited a fair number of these dome churches and stand in awe within each.

We find a few well worn bibles and hymn books socked away in one corner and note their age (quite old). The bottle of olive oil (used in anointing services) displays the markings of a local pharmacy and using information on the label, we have dated it from the 1950s-1960s period. From Mundare “Rexall” Drug Store, WA Ilkiw prop, Mundare Alberta and the cost is 4oz for 45¢.

It was not uncommon out in rural parts for a Parish to provide living quarters for clergy use and from the 1930s on to some point, a home could be found on the grounds to fill this need. It’s gone now and it appears no signs remain.

The Limestone Lake Cemetery is just south of the church and there’s about one hundred seventy five folks interred here. The earliest burial is from 1904 and the most recent, from 2023. We noticed certain family names appeared often and sometimes across several generations.

At least one gravestone lacks any markings and a number are missing one or both of the key dates. Many of the older ones are of cast concrete and with writings in old country Cyrillic.

TYT is seen on many and the significance is explained here: TYT in Ukrainian Cyrillic means “here” and is often the first word on headstones, usually followed by lies or sleeps, and then the person’s name and other details…” Roger Waterhouse. This is pulled from a comment (back when we allowed comments) @ BIGDoer.com. It’s a long story, but we had to shut off that service or let it bring down the site.

One of the older concrete markers (Paraska “Pearl” Schur, died 1912, birth date not listed) has deteriorated and exposed the reinforcing steel used in its construction. These appears to be old springs and perhaps salvaged off some retired wagon. Never underestimate the frugality of rural folks back in the day and I guess that applies even in death.

The graves of Paraska’s husband (who died one year later) and of two their children, plus many later descendants are located nearby.

Depictions of Christ are common on older grave markers, and they’re also generally more elaborate than newer examples. A little joyous angel figurine is found on the property line fence and placed so everyone entering the gate can see it.

Sadly our time here is limited and the road calls. This is the part we hate…leaving…so we’ll see you St Michael and perhaps will cross paths again. We have only scratched the surface when it comes to this area and always long to return.

Know more (new tabs): Saint Michael the Archangel and Onion Dome Churches of Northern Alberta.

They’re saying…

”No one is more passionate about preserving history than these two and it’s obvious they love what they do. Photos are jaw dropping good. Why have you not written a book? Chris & Connie are the surely the real deal.” Natalia Safko. (Thanks – we did write a book, in 2020, but as of early 2023 it’s still in development hell at the publisher and we question if it’ll ever get printed.)

More like this…
Kopernick.
St Nicholas.
Spaca Moskalyk Church.

If you wish more information on what’s seen here, don’t hesitate to: contact us!

Date of Adventure: May, 2021.
Location(s): NE of Edmonton.
Article references and thanks: Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, University of Calgary Archives and Catholic.org.

Welcome to the Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel.

This is the second church here and dates from the 1930s.

Old (wagon?) springs used as reinforcing steel.

There’s approximately 175 people interred here.

Passed away at age 74 in 1939.

Many graves display old country Cyrillic.

Old grave markers are more elaborate than newer examples.

A look inside…and it’s beautiful.

Under the dome.

Services are still held from time to time.

From the upper balcony.

Bathed in the soft light…

Olive oil bottle likely dates from the 1950s-60s period.

We could spend hours here but…

Sadly, it’s time to go…